Tapert and Sam Raimi worked together to create the film The Happy Valley Kid, the story of a young man, played by Tapert, who goes to college only to be met with rejection at every turn. Near the end of the film he loses his mind, dresses up as a cowboy, and begins gunning down all those who wronged him. Despite its dramatic plot, the film is largely a comedy. The film was screened at Michigan State university several times and made a profit for Raimi and Tapert.

Tapert next made a feature film, a graphic horror film titled The Evil Dead, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell. Thanks to a glowing review from horror author Stephen King, the film was a success with the crowd at the Cannes Film Festival in France, and although not a favorite of critics at the time, it was critically acclaimed as a horror classic in later years. The film was successful enough to spawn two sequels, Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness.

Tapert, along with Raimi and Campbell, produced the remake of The Evil Dead through Ghost House Pictures.[5] The film was directed by Fede Alvarez (whom Tapert also collaborated with on the 2016 film Don't Breathe, who also wrote the screenplay with Rodo Sayagues and Diablo Cody, who "Americanized" the script.[citation needed]

Tapert returned to the Evil Dead franchise as an executive producer to the Starz series Ash vs. Evil Dead, which premiered in 2015.[6]

Tapert is currently developing a new drama series, Airborne, a Vietnam War drama that will capture the human story of war as it follows the lives of a young helicopter crew.[7]

Tapert is also working to develop a Xena reboot in conjunction with Sam Raimi and NBC.[8]